The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-30
STORY OF STEWARDS BONES
George w. Walling's Narrative of the
Stealing of Rich Mans Corpse.
The Opening Of the Vault in st. Marks
Church, the Protracted Negotiations with
the Thieves, and Return of the Remains.

sc long enveloped the fate OF the body or tho
millionaire dry goods dealer. Alexander I.
Stewart. forms the subject of a chapter in Su-
perin.endent George w. walling's book. ''rhe
Recollections of New York Chief OF
Police" which is soon to be published
The ex-superntendeut processes TO give the
only true story of the stealing of the body,
and also alleges that the body was subsequently
returned to representatives. Of Judge Hilton.
The remains were buried in st. Marks church
yard. at the corner of Second avenue and Tenth
street, in an underground vault, the entrance to
which was covered by q fagstone, which, in
turn was sodded over, even with the surround
ing surface. so that there outward evil
dence of its location. Judge Hilton had
discovered evidences that the vault
had been tempered with and set watch; but,
as snothiue further transpired. the watch was
withdrawn. and three nights later-that is. on the
night of Nov. 6. or the morning of Nov. z, 1878,
the vault was broken open and The remains sto-
len. Judge Hilton was firmly of the opinion
that the sexton or his assistant had guilty
knowledge of the transaction; but this
was never shown. The Judge at once
offered reward of sos, 900 for the
turn Of the body and the conviction
Of the grave-robbers. The first clew came from
Gen. Patrick Jones. ex-postmaster of New
who had served under him claimed to know
something about the Stewart body. and with
proper announcement would give infor mation
tendens submitted the offer to Judge Hilton,
who declared he would never pay cent for Mr..
Stewards bones unless they came accompanied
sistent and wanted TO work up the case and
arrange for buying the body. He showed let
tiers from the thieves and few days later gave
to the police package expressed to him from
Rnetnn. 4
identified by the engraver who had
done the work. To complete their iden-
tifcatiou, the robbers sent piece of
paper that fitted exactly the hole in the velvet
cover of the coffin cut out by the thieves when
the body removed. This is in the
hands of Sexton Hamill, and the coffin plate is
at police headquarters. Judge Hilton remained
unalterable, and the case was dropped by the
authorities, but continued by private detectives.
Mrs. Stewart differed from her counsel. and
strongly wished to recover the body. Learning
this fact, the robbers opened correspondence
with her directly. No trace of the body or
thieves was found until January, 1882, when
Gen. Jones called at headquarters He brought
with him parcel which contained the silver
knobs and several of the handles belonging to
the coffin in which the body had been buried.
He also showed some letters which he had re-
ceived. They purported to have been
written in Canada, and were signed by Henry
G. Romano" With the first letter hundred
dollar bill was inclosed as a retainer for him to
act attorney for the return Of the body upon
the payment OF $3.50, 900. The letter then went
how it inclosed in a zinc-lined trunk and
taken to Canada and buried. It said the features
we're perfectly preserved, except the eyes.
This the letter which nclosed the
bit of paper corresponding to the size of the hole
in the velvet and promised if further proof was
required to send the coffin plate upon the inser
words, "Canada-Send P. Counsel" This was
done. and under date of Boston, Jan. 81, 1879
letter came, saying the plate was sent from
there avoid the scrutiny of customs officials
on the Canadian border The plate was received
and identified. General Jones was instructed,
in case the relatives were ready to negotiate for
the remains, to insert this personal in the Her
aid: "Can ada-Will do business. Counsel"
This was done at Judge Hilton's request The
reply which came from Boston, on the 11th of
February. set forth the terms upon which the
body would be restored They were follows:
First-The amount to be paid shall be $780,.
000
self and Judge Hilton within twenty-five miles of
the city of Montreal, and no other persons shall
be present.
Third-The money to be placed in your hands,
or under your control until Judge Hilton is fully
satisfied, when you will deliver IL to my repre-
sentative.
unbroken silence in regard to the transaction.
Judge Hilton refused to agree to tine terms
proposed, and further declined to ne
sonais." Romano was then writ
ten to, General Jones informing him
of the condition Of things His reply was
received,
communication with Judge Hilton and opsn
gotiations with Mrs. Stewart No notice was
taken of this request. but in March. Judge Hill
ton made an offer of $25. 600 for the body. Con
eral Jones maGe the fact known to Romano,
who respectfully but firmly declined. This
closed the correspondence.
The robbers, becoming discouraged, now
offered to sell the body for $10O 000 Mrs.
Stewart willing, and ordered her repre-
sentatives to pay the amount. They delayed
matters until the figure was reduced to $40 600.
which was accepted. The conditions of the
delivery severe. Tue messenger
with the money was to leave New
one horse wagon, and drive into Westchester
county, along a lonely road. which was indicated
on a map sent by the thieves. Some time before
morning. if the man was acting in good faith
by detectives, he would be met and
given further directions A young
hazardous errsnd. Two or three times during
the night he certain that he was closely
watched, but it was o'clock when a masked
horseman rode MP, gave the signal agreed on
and turned the buggy up a lonely lane. The
strange visitor here left HIM, directing him TO
@drive on. At the end Of another milo he became
way He paused. A masked promptly
appeared and brought forward a bag to his
buggy. saying:
Here it is; where's the money!
.'Where's the proof of IDENTIFY asked the
messenger, as the bag containing the mortal re-
mains of A. r. Stewart was lifted into the
buggy.
Here" said the other, holding Mp an irregu-
lar bit OF velvet and opening a bulls eye lantern
with a click. The piece was compared with a
| bit OF paper of the same shape which the New
| Yorker had brought with him to this lonely
spot.
Come. hurry up! was the command
The messenger obeyed by producing the
| money. and the robbers retired few feet and
| counted it by the light of their lanterns. Then
| they moved off to their vehicle. and the messen-
| ger of Mrs Stewart drove back the way he had
| come
The next night freight car went out to Gar
| den City, containing nothing except a trunk.
| and on it sat man who had spent the previou S
| night in the lonelest part of Westchester
| county. An empty coffin had been already de-
posted in the Cathedral. and at the dead of night
| two men transferred the body to it from the
| trunk They then placed the coffin in mac